Chapter Three: Part Six

An undead werewolf. Astraea didn't know how they could safely fight such a monster.

"Um…will we turn into a werewolf or a ghoul if it bites us?" Viki asked meekly.

Astraea saw it rear back and she realized it was about to lunge. "SCATTER!" she screamed.

Brownie flew off her shoulder and Pesmerga leapt high into the air. Astraea realized in a split second that both David and Viki were rooted to the spot. Thinking fast she pushed them off the top step—David to the right and Viki to the left—and they both fell into the bushes framing the stairs. She ducked to avoid the lunge from the undead werewolf and dove down the stairs. She rolled down the last couple of steps but she ignored the discomfort. She scrambled to her feet and drew her knout. "David, Viki, are you both okay?!"

"Y-Yeah!" David shouted from the bushes.

"I'm okay!" Viki shouted from her side.

The undead werewolf had flown into the castle but came rushing back out into the front courtyard, frothing at the mouth with rage. "GET INTO FORMATION!" Astraea shouted.

Pesmerga immediately appeared at her side, and Viki scrambled to untangle herself from the bushes to rush over to them. Brownie floated beside Astraea and did a backflip in air, and with a puff of smoke he grew to 50 cms again. "Do you have a rune that heals?" Astraea asked Brownie.

"I have a Wind Rune," Brownie told her.

Astraea nodded, but then saw that the undead werewolf was charging them again. "LOOK OUT!"

The four scattered into separate directions and Brownie took off into the air. "It's out of my home at least!" he called out happily.

"Are there any others inside?!" David exclaimed, scrambling back onto the staircase and closing the doors to the castle shut.

"Nope, just him!"

"David, take shelter inside the castle!" Astraea shouted to him.

"With all due respect Your Highness, I would rather not run away!" David called back to her.

"Ready!" Viki shouted, raising her right hand. A golden rune symbol suddenly rose into the air, and a beam of light suddenly surrounded the undead werewolf. But just as quickly, a loud 'PING' filled the air and the light dissipated.

"Damn!" Pesmerga shouted, startling Astraea. "The spell is going to rebound!"

"Rebound?" Astraea asked, and at that moment the same light surrounded Pesmerga and in the blink of an eye he was gone. "W-Where did he go?!"

"Oh no, my spell backfired!" Viki wailed, pressing a hand to her head. "I was trying to teleport that thing away, but w-when the spell doesn't work it teleports an ally away!"

"Maybe don't use that spell on a battle that's clearly not a random encounter?" David called to her.

Astraea glanced up and saw that Brownie was still flying around in a circle overhead. "Brownie, use Pixie Dust on that thing!" she shouted.

"It won't work!" Brownie called out, still flying around. "I tried it before and my Dust wasn't strong enough!"

Wasn't strong enough?! Astraea gaped at the creature. It was slowly turning around in a circle, surveying the people around it. She glanced back up. "Wha—how were you able to shrink me then?!" she asked. "I have a True Rune! A power of creation! How is a monster like this somehow able to overcome Pixie Dust when someone who wields a True Rune can't?!"

"Whoa!" Brownie paused in midair to gape at her in shock. "You have a True Rune, Princess?!"

The undead werewolf snapped its head towards Astraea and quickly charged at her. Astraea raised her right hand. "The Shredding!"

The True Wind Rune's symbol rose into the air and the powerful spell struck the undead werewolf, but to Astraea's horror the werewolf kept charging her. She managed to use her natural speed to dodge, but the creature's claws barely missed her. It swung its claws at her again, and she did a cartwheel to avoid it. When she straightened she swung the knout over her head and towards the monster. The tip of the whip caught its left eye and it screamed in rage.

"Brownie, what spells do you have on your Wind Rune?" Astraea shouted up to the Pixie.

"Wind of Sleep and Healing Wind!" Brownie called back down to her.

"Damn," Astraea muttered. She knew neither spell would be effective against the creature. "Do—Do you have any other type of Dust that can hurt monsters?"

"Oh sure! Let me try!" He suddenly tossed a handful of silver glitter down upon the undead werewolf. The monster roared in pain and thrashed around upon the ground.

"What was that?"

"Searing Dust," Brownie said proudly. "It has the same effects as a Fire Rune!"

"Why didn't you use that sooner?!" Viki exclaimed.

"That was my last batch! I don't have any more now!"

The monster heaved back up onto all fours, blisters breaking out on its skinless body. Astraea readied herself, but she felt dread settle into her stomach. Pesmerga had been sent away, and so she knew it would be up to her to do the majority of the fighting. She tried to remain calm as she looked at Viki. "Do you have any other spells available on that Rune?"

"I-I'm afraid not!" Viki shouted back to her. "My Blinking Rune always resets itself to the base level whenever I transfer!"

Transfer? Astraea had more questions, but the undead werewolf began to move again. It was bleeding, but its was the color of bile. She cracked her knout again, catching it between the eyes. Instead of causing it to stagger its rage amplified, and so did its power. "The Shredding!" she shouted again, unleashing the spell. It was a risk; this was her last use of the spell. She prayed that the creature would fall.

It did not. It continued to stagger, but it did not fall.

Astraea's breathing quickened and it was harder to maintain control. If she wasn't able to kill the undead werewolf quick enough, it increased the chances of one of them getting bitten or clawed. She didn't want to have the werewolf curse. With the True Wind Rune on her body, she already knew that she was going to live a long time. But what would she do with a long life with the werewolf curse?

"No."

A simple word brushed against her mind from an undistinguishable voice. But she knew that voice; it was the True Wind Rune. "No?" she echoed softly.

Does that mean—

The undead werewolf suddenly charged again, but it did not charge Astraea or Viki. It charged at David!

"NO!" Astraea shrieked, lunging forward. The undead werewolf was faster than her; she knew she couldn't outrun it. But she ran towards the direct path of its pursuit. David thankfully did not freeze this time, but instead of taking shelter in the castle he jumped off the front steps, missing the trees and onto the grass.

But the undead werewolf followed him. It reared up on its hind legs and howled towards the afternoon sky. David fumbled for an inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a gold bar. He threw it at the creature, and the gold bar slammed full-force into the undead werewolf's jaw. The monster stopped howling and lunged down, and David instinctively threw up his arms—

But when the jaws clamped down, they did so on Astraea's arm!

Viki let out a piercing shriek, and Brownie covered his mouth with both hands, his eyes wide with horror. The color drained from David's face and he lowered his arms. Astraea did not scream; the pain was so intense that it sucked the air out of her lungs. She could see and feel the bones in her left arm break under the undead werewolf's teeth.

But…it was not the worst pain she had ever felt in her life. But the pain nonetheless helped to give her clarity as she raised her right hand and slammed the butt of her knout's hilt directly into the werewolf eye. "HAAA!" she shrieked.

Blood spurted from the eye and the creature shrieked with a full mouth. It wrung its head violently and Astraea suddenly found herself flying through the air. She saw the grass come up fast, but at the last moment her body went still, and she carefully settled upon the grass.

"HEALING WIND!" Brownie shrieked, using his Wind Rune on her. The healing spell washed over Astraea and the pain slowly ebbed. "Oh, you foolish, foolish Princess!" Brownie admonished. "What have you done?!"

"Oh no oh no oh no," Viki stammered, collapsing beside Astraea on the grass. "Your Majesty—!"

Astraea struggled to get into a seated position. The undead werewolf began to charge at them again. "YOU BASTARD!" Brownie shouted, throwing himself in front of Astraea. Astraea grabbed him by the back of his tunic to pull him out—

But before the monster could attack, a loud "CRACK" filled the air, and a huge red welt formed across its snout. The undead werewolf roared and clutched at its face.

"On your feet, Your Highness. Remember your training."

Tears immediately stung Astraea's eyes and she looked to her right. Near the trees that encircled the castle, wielding her whip…stood Dawa.

"You seem to be having fun without me, Your Highness," Dawa said casually, smoothly running over to them. She nudged Viki aside and grabbed Astraea by her elbow, pulling her to her feet. Dawa smiled at her. "Why don't we change that?"

Astraea was so overwhelmed to see her sister that she couldn't find the words to speak. "Be careful with the Princess!" Brownie warned Dawa.

Dawa glanced at him and her brow rose. "You are a Pixie," she said.

"I am," Brownie confirmed. "But take care with the Princess! She was bitten by that werewolf monster!"

The color drained from Dawa's face and Astraea felt her heart break upon seeing that. But Dawa maintained the outward appearance of calm and glared murderously at the undead werewolf. "We'll worry about that after this fight," she said calmly. "First— Sworn Protector."

Astraea couldn't stop her smiling. "Sworn Protector."

It was their unite attack; one that centered on one enemy, but as they had just one foe now it worked. Dawa jumped forward, swinging her whip and striking the undead werewolf from the right three times. Astraea followed, swinging her knout and striking the undead werewolf three times as well. Then both struck the monster simultaneously three times each. "Good, Your Highness!" Dawa shouted as they jumped back.

The undead werewolf staggered once again but still did not fall. "He is tough," Dawa observed.

"M-Maybe we should cut our losses and escape?" Brownie stammered. "I could shrink us with Pixie Dust—"

"Why didn't you think of that BEFORE Her Highness was bitten?!" Dawa snapped.

"I froze!" Brownie said defensively.

"Dawa, please don't yell at him," Astraea said, though she winced at the pain in her arm. "It—"

A thunderous roar suddenly filled the air. The ground shook, the trees shook, even the undead werewolf shook. Astraea looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened when she saw Mahihkan—in his giant wolf form—charging towards them at high speed!

"Oh, there he is," Dawa said. "I got here so quickly because of him."

Astraea looked at her, but Dawa suddenly grabbed her in an embrace and dove towards the ground. Viki jumped out of the way as well and Brownie took off into the air as Mahihkan barreled past them towards the undead werewolf. The undead werewolf flinched when it saw the wielder of the Red Moon Rune, but Mahihkan didn't give it time to react. He snapped jaws around the undead werewolf and lifted it up and in the air. He shook his head back and forth, wringing the monster violently around, before giving a final toss of his head. The undead werewolf left his mouth and went flying into high into the clouds. It rose higher and higher until it disappeared completely from view.

Astraea lay on the ground in a slight daze, but then she gasped in pain when Dawa pulled her into a seated position and seized her left arm. SHe shoved Astraea's sleeve up and Astraea saw that her lower arm was no longer broken, but the bite mark was still visible on her skin leaking blood. The skin around the holes was purple and green. Dawa's breathing stuttered and she looked up. "Please help us!" she cried out.

Mahihkan reached for his forehead with his paw and swiped at it. His body began to glow as he transformed back into human form. David raced over to Astraea, collapsing to his knees before her. His hands shook violently as they hovered over her. "Your Highness," he whispered. His eyes were wide. "Oh my God…"

"Who are you?" Dawa demanded.

"The Princess was bitten protecting this boy," Brownie said in a tattle-tale voice, pointing to David as he circled above. "Healing Wind!" he called out, waving his hand over Astraea. Astraea's body felt better, but the bite mark had not healed.

"She's so brave," Viki whispered, clutching at her staff.

Mahihkan wore an unreadable expression as he approached. "Excuse me," he said to David curtly. David scrambled out of the way and Mahihkan knelt down before Astraea. He took her wrist and elbow. "Did that undead werewolf bite you?"

"I…yes," Astraea said. "But—"

"I'm afraid that there is nothing I can help you," Mahihkan said, meeting her gaze. "This type of curse is too strong to be maintained by the Rabid Fang Rune. Very soon the curse will take your body, and you will become a ghoulish werewolf as that one was."

Viki choked on a sob. Dawa's breathing grew quicker and shallower. "How about you have a little tact for this situation?!" David snapped at Mahihkan.

"I do not have time for tact," Mahihkan said. "Your Highness—if you do not want to have the same fate as that creature, then you only have two options; you must end your life—"

"Do NOT say that!" Dawa snapped, her voice breaking.

"—Or you must have the assistance of a True Rune," Mahihkan continued unabated. "As that part of the fabric of existence, that power is stronger than lycanthropy or vampirism. But seeing as—"

"I have a True Rune, Mahihkan," Astraea interjected. She raised her right hand. "The True Wind Rune."

Mahihkan looked confused for a moment before the realization dawned on him. "The spell you unleashed on my comrades. And the power I sensed earlier—that was a True Rune?"

"Yes," Astraea said. "So the True Rune really can—"

At that moment her right hand began to glow. It was brief, lasting only a few seconds. But as soon as the glow faded a fiery pain that enveloped her body. A horrible lurching noise erupted from her throat and she collapsed onto her side. "Oh my God—Astraea!" Dawa screamed, grabbing her shoulders.

Astraea rose onto all fours, and that was when she retched. A black, putrid liquid spewed from her mouth onto the grass. It was horrifying to look at but the taste—feeling it in her mouth was even worse. She continued to vomit for a few more moments—more black bile spilling out—until she ceased.

No one said a word. The air was silent except for her ragged breathing. Dawa helped her sit up and Mahihkan took her arm. Slightly dazed, Astraea looked down at the limb. The bite mark was gone. Her arm looked fully healed.

Mahihkan looked at the waste on the grass, and then at Astraea. "The True Rune," he said. "It—expunged the curse from your body. Even if the Rune leaves you one day, the curse will not stay with you."

"T-Then she's all right?" Viki asked.

"I have never seen this before, but my—predecessor remembered witnessing something resembling that with a True Rune wielder," Mahihkan said. "You should be all right now, Your Highness."

Astraea felt the relief flood her body, particularly because it had not been an accident that she had been bitten. She had taken a gamble; when the True Wind Rune spoke to her, she had a feeling that if she had been bitten by the werewolf then she wouldn't need to worry about the effects of the curse due to her True Rune. And while she had intended to strike the werewolf in the nose—and missed—to save David, the result was as she predicted. She was bitten…but she was okay.

She around at everyone, her gaze settling on David last. He stared back at her, his eyes still wide and his chest heaving. Before she could say anything, she was suddenly pulled into a tight hug. "I'm sorry," Dawa murmured to her. "I'm so sorry I left you!"

Astraea couldn't stop the tears this time. She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in Dawa's neck as she clung to her assist—her sister—for dear life. She loved all of her siblings, but deep down she knew unfailingly that Dawa would always standby her side.

And I was right! She's here with me again!

As the sisters clung to each other, there was a 'whoosh' of air and Pesmerga appeared beside Viki, startling the girl. "I would recommend you not do that again," he said coldly.

"Where were you?!" Brownie demanded flying over to him.

"Away," Pesmerga said. "And I could not return until the battle was finished."

"Huh?! Why not?!"

Viki gave a huge wince and rubbed at her hair awkwardly. "That…always happens whenever Ready backfires."

The creature lay in a heap in the center of a massive crater. Multiple limbs were broken but it was still alive. Driven by maddening rage and feral hunger, the undead werewolf struggled to get up. It could not stop. It would not stop.

The monster rolled its head to the side, only able to see out of one eye—and it say a human figure standing to its right at the edge of the crater. Its vision was blurry and fragmented, but the figure looked like a human woman. A woman bathed in darkness.

It watched the woman tilt her head back and spread out her arms. She only spoke two words. "Twinkling Star."

A…strange rune symbol rose into the air, but the creature had no time to discern what it may be. Light enveloped its body and its world suddenly exploded into red and black.

"I don't agree with this," Mahihkan said, his tone hard. "You are putting the main island at risk, Your Highness."

"If rogues could come to this island easily, then there is nothing that can stop them from getting to the main island," Astraea said. "Fixing Giant's Passage won't change anything."

Mahihkan opened his mouth as though to say something, but no words came out. After a moment he clicked his mouth shut. "As you wish, Your Highness," he said reluctantly. "But I will not be held responsible for any mishaps."

"Everything will be fine," she reassured him, though she said it mostly to reassure herself.

Brownie flew back over to them from across the wide gap in the bridge. He was back to his small size. "This will be hard work, Princess," he told Astraea, floating in front of her. "This bridge is older than I. I can fix it, but it will be in stages. If you were to find other House Elves to help me, we can get it fixed faster."

"But we will be able to cross?" Astraea said.

"Minimally," Brownie said. "I can make the bridge accessible, but at this time it would be like applying a band aid to a stab wound. It will not be perfect."

"We'll take it slowly then," Astraea said. "Please Brownie; fix it enough so my siblings and companions can get across."

Brownie nodded. "I patched other holes further back so they should be able to come over shortly." He flew to the wide gap in the bridge that had no debris; nothing that could connect the two sides together. Astraea saw his tiny body touch down on the other side, and then Brownie quickly flew back over to them. The air began to glow beneath him, and to Astraea's amazement she saw a narrow cobblestone path materialize into the air below Brownie. By the time he reached back to their side, the bridges were connected with a slab wide enough for one person to safely walk it.

"This is fine," Mahihkan said, motioning to the path. "I prefer this. The mind of a rogue is too frenzied to navigate this path. It will fall into the water."

"I can widen it more with the help of another Pixie," Brownie said, flying around them.

"ASTRAEA!"

"Over here!" Astraea shouted, waving her hand. She saw Sigrun, Denzel, Ferdinand, Musashi, Viktor, Richard, and Dr. Tieling running towards them and she couldn't hide her laughter of relief.

"I will take my leave," Mahihkan said, turning to go. "I need to return to my people."

"Thank you for everything," Astraea said to him. Mahihkan nodded to her and headed off.

Sigrun reached her side first and hugged her tight. "You scared the hell out of me! I can't believe you left without us!"

"Because we did though, we found a Pixie who can fixed this bridge," David said. "In stages."

"You cause any trouble while I was gone, kid?" Viktor laughed, ruffling his hair roughly.

David flinched at his teasing question and ducked his head. "…Yes."

Viktor's brow furrowed in confusion, but at that moment he noticed Pesmerga and yelped in shock. "Where the hell did YOU come from?!"

"Heh," was Pesmerga's response.

"Are any of you injured?" Dr. Tieling asked, moving around the group.

"Her Highness was bitten by a werewolf," Dawa said.

"WHAT?!" Sigrun and Denzel screamed.

"But I'm okay," Astraea quickly reassured the group. "Mahihkan confirmed it. The True Wind Rune prevented the curse from taking my body."

"Who's Mahihkan?" Ferdinand asked.

"Ah, is THAT the big wolf that may have a True Rune?" Richard laughed.

"H-How did you know about that?" Astraea asked in surprise.

"Wait, it's true?"

"Are there more werewolves there?" Musashi asked in a dangerous tone.

"Yes, but most of them have Rabid Fang Runes," Astraea said. "We don't need to worry about them. We just need to worry about rogues, and—"

"Will you marry me?"

The sudden proclamation stunned Astraea into silence. She slowly turned around, her mouth hanging open slightly. "…Excuse me?"

"I want to marry you," Brownie told her. He flipped into the air and became big once more. "I have decided that you are a worthy human of being my wife, Princess! You are the kindest and most beautiful woman I have ever met! I know I will find no one better than you, so please say yes and be my wife!"

Astraea continued to gape at him in shock, as did the rest of the group as an uncomfortable silence swept over the group. After a few short moments the silence was broken by Denzel letting out a loud, hysterical laugh.

"Uh—" Viktor rubbed at his nape awkwardly. "I'm no expert on these things, but I don't think this is a good idea."

"Why not?" Brownie demanded.

"You both just met!" Dawa said, gesturing between Astraea and Brownie. "And—well—you're so young!"

"Hey, I'll have you know that I'm one hundred and seventy-three years old!" Brownie said indignantly.

Astraea stammered in shock. "Y—You're over one hundred years old?!"

"I know it's quite young, but I'm a fitting partner!" Brownie insisted. "I know I can take care of you! I won't let you get bitten by werewolves like that human boy did!" He pointed to David.

"Hey!" David said indignantly.

"Wait, you are at fault for Astraea getting bitten by a werewolf?!" Sigrun demanded. Denzel was still laughing; hugging his sides and hunching forward.

"W-We all are," Viki said weakly, stepping forward.

"If you all are then you shouldn't be bragging, buddy," Viktor laughed.

Brownie glared at Viktor before throwing Pixie Dust at him. Viktor screamed as his body shifted and he suddenly disappeared. 🎶"That's what you get, disrespectful human!"🎶 Brownie sang out before he took off flying into the air.

"N-Nobody move!" Astraea shouted, waving her arms. The group stood as still as possible as they looked around the cobblestones at their feet. "Does anyone see him?"

"Oh man Astraea, your future husband looks like a handful!" Denzel wheezed, wiping tears of laughter from his cheeks.

"Denzel!" Astraea exclaimed.

"…An alliance between the Pixies and us would be advantageous," Richard said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin and looking towards the sky.

"But how would they even have children?!" Dr. Tieling said.

"I would rather not think about it," Ferdinand muttered.

"Everyone, I'm not getting married!" Astraea snapped. "I'm eighteen! And I haven't even issued Royal Combat yet!"

"Oh Astraea, don't be so cruel!" Denzel teased her. "You'll break that 173-year-old Pixie's heart if he hears you talking like that!"

"You're taking things too far, Prince Denzel," Dawa said coldly.

"Glad to have you back, Dawa," Denzel said cheekily.

"I found him," Musashi said bluntly, scooping his hand towards the ground. Astraea did see something small in his hand. Musashi casually passed the tiny Viktor to David. "He's your companion, you take care of him."

"Let's get going," Astraea said. "I want to show you all the Old Capital. And, ah—we'll need to convince Brownie to change Viktor back."

There were many new people in the group, and for the main party Astraea chose Sigrun, Denzel, Ferdinand, Musashi, and Pesmerga to fight. But what few monsters they ran into along the way were quickly handled by them.

They reached the Old Capital by dusk, and as Astraea predicted the group was stunned by the state of the city. "This is incredible!" Sigrun exclaimed, rubbing her hands along the exterior of a building. "There's no structural flaws I can see! This city looks like it was built yesterday!"

"That would be Brownie," David said. "He's a House Pixie, so he's been using his powers to maintain the Old Capital."

Denzel looked at Astraea. "If you still want to marry him, then I'll fully support your marriage."

"D-Denzel!" Astraea sputtered.

"A-CHOO!"

Viki suddenly sneezed, and Astraea felt the familiar rush of power. She blinked, and one moment they were at the main gate of the Old Capital. Then the next they were standing in front of the castle where they fought the undead werewolf. "O-Oh no I did it again!" Viki exclaimed.

"No, this is fine!" Astraea reassured her. She quickly looked around and to her relief she saw that the whole group was there. She was also relieved to see that the gunk she had vomited up was gone. "This was where I wanted us to come."

"Is this where our ancestors lived?" Sigrun asked, looking up at the magnificent castle. She smiled softly and pointed to the largest tower in front. "You should make that your bedroom, Astraea."

"What? Why?" Astraea asked.

"Because Princesses live in towers," Denzel snickered, ruffling her hair.

"…I was about to say that it looked like the largest room," Sigrun said, giving her little brother an annoyed look. "Since we are here for you Astraea, and supporting you in your Royal Combat challenge, you should have the largest chambers."

"I don't mind," Astraea said. The group headed up the front steps and into the castle. It opened into a grand entrance; though only half the size of the Great Hall, it was no less impressive. The floor was black and white tiled, but it was also covered with a pristine red carpet. There was a door to the southwest that Astraea suspected led to the largest tower, and a grand staircase leading to the second floor ahead of them. But the second floor didn't see to end; it stretched on to a wide corridor with beautiful murals on the ceiling. There were many other doors and corridors on both sides of the group, but they lingered in the middle of the hall. Though an undead werewolf had inhabited the castle, there was no trace of destruction.

Brownie probably fixed everything.

"Not bad," Richard said.

Astraea looked around. "I don't see Brownie anywhere—"

"You called, nin mel?" Brownie suddenly flew from the east and grew big again beside her.

Nin mel? She decided not to ask him about the endearment. "Could you make Viktor big again?"

Brownie sighed heavily. "So long as he apologizes," he said in resignation.

"I'm sorry!" Viktor shouted from David's hands. "Now please fix this!"

"Aww, you apologized too soon!" Brownie pouted but then shrugged after a moment. "Set him down, boy."

"David," David corrected him, but he set Viktor down on the carpet. Brownie casually tossed Pixie Dust towards the floor, and just as quickly Viktor grew big again.

"Do you intend to make this castle your home?" Brownie asked the group.

"Ah, yes," Astraea told him. "I would hope that my allies could live in the city, and my family and I live in this castle."

Brownie nodded thoughtfully. "I cannot say no to my betrothed."

"Um—" Astraea began.

"But," Brownie pressed on. "My residence is in the west wall of the dining room." He pointed towards the eastern side of the hall. "No one else is allowed to claim that space. Understood, nin mel?"

"Sure, absolutely," Denzel answered for Astraea. "Can we go in and claim rooms now?"

"How many bedrooms does the castle have?" Sigrun asked.

"Fifteen," Brownie said. "But the west wall of the dining room is off limits!"

"That's more than enough for us," Denzel said.

"Does the castle have furniture?" Astraea asked Brownie. "I didn't see that the other buildings in town had them."

"Yes, it does," Brownie said. "The Reiser Royals who left were too lazy to bring their beds with them."

"Those are our ancestors you're insulting," Sigrun said.

"So?"

"I'll go back into town and find a place to set up a hospital," Dr. Tieling sighed. She grabbed Viktor's arm. "You're coming with me."

"Why?"

"Because you're going to stay at the new hospital until you fully recover."

"Aww…"

"I should head into town as well to find a residence for myself as well," Richard said, stretching his arms over his head.

"But none of the houses have furniture in them, do they?" Ferdinand asked.

"Oh, I've slept on floors before."

Astraea looked at the group, but then David suddenly moved to stand in front of her. His expression was hard and serious. Before she could ask him what's wrong he suddenly swept down and knelt before her. The group fell silent at his gesture.

"Princess Astraea Reiser," David began, his head bent forward. "I owe you my life. For risking yourself to save me, I—David Silverberg— hereby pledge myself wholeheartedly to your cause. I will put all of my energy into ensuring your victory. I will not rest until you are crowned Queen. For this moment forward, I am your humble servant. My skills are at your full disposal."

Astraea stared down at him stunned. It felt surreal that David—someone she had just met a few days prior—was now swearing fealty to her. She swallowed thickly, trying to find the right words. She knew she could refuse him, deny him, or keep silent. But she also knew that he was being sincere with his proclamation.

She took a moment to compose herself, and then held out her hand to him. "I look forward to working with you, David."

David looked up, and a bright smile broke out across his face. He stood up and clasped her hand. "Thank you…Your Majesty."

"Gee, thanks kid," Viktor said around a loud laugh. "You know I'm not obligated to fight for the Princess, right? Since I promised your cousin I would watch out for you!"

"Silverberg," Dawa said suddenly, stepping forward and narrowing her eyes. "And cousin. Are you related to Sir Albert?"

"Ah—Viktor promised my Cousin Caesar, not Albert, that he would look out for me," David said, raising his hands.

"It's okay, Dawa," Astraea said, raising her hand. "I trust him."

Dawa looked at her, but after a moment her demeanor relaxed. "I will trust you, Your Highness. Or rather…Your Majesty."

"Right," Denzel said, nodding and sobering. "We will now be working towards the goal of getting you on the throne, Astraea. So now…you must be seen as Queen Astraea by your allies."

Astraea nodded and looked around. "Thank you all for your loyalty and support," she said. She didn't know how she kept her voice steady. "I will work hard to win, and overthrow the King."

"We'll need to prepare the formal challenge," Sigrun said. "But for now I think we all need to rest. We've been on the running for ages. Now we can relax, even if it's just for a short while."

"I would like to claim that large building near the main gate as the hospital," Dr. Tieling said. "May I, Your Hi—Majesty?"

"That makes the most sense," Astraea said. "Having our hospital close to the gate."

"Come on." Dr. Tieling proceeded to drag Viktor towards the castle's doors.

"Oi, wait a minute!" Viktor protested, but she successfully dragged him out.

"I'll talk a walk and decide where I want my house to be," Richard said, nodding. "I have a few Boars we killed on the road. You're welcome to them to eat."

"Thank you, Lord Richard," Astraea said.

"Anything for my Queen."

"Ah…if I may," Viki asked, moving forward. "Could I stay here inside the castle? I-I don't a room—I'll just mind my mirror!"

"Of course," Astraea said. "You can set up wherever you want."

"That wall has plenty of space," Viki said, pointing to a wide space along the western wall. She hurried over to it.

Astraea turned to Pesmerga. "You can—"

"I don't need anything," Pesmerga said, and abruptly departed the castle.

"I will look for a house in town as well," David said. "If it's all right with you Your Majesty, I will choose a residence close to the castle."

"That would be fine."

"Good. I will find a place and come right back." He hurried out the door.

"I don't like him," Denzel said, shaking his head.

"He seems like a fair lad from what we have seen of him," Ferdinand said.

"Come," Sigrun said, clapping her hands. "Before we eat supper, let's go and claim rooms for ourselves. Astraea, tell us how the tower is."

"Ah," Astraea said, but her siblings and their assists quickly scattered. She was left alone in the hall with Dawa. It dawned on her in that moment how long it had been since she was with Dawa. She smiled at her sister. "If there's an extra bedroom in that tower, I want you to have it."

'I will gladly take it," Dawa said. "To stay by your side, Your Majesty."

Astraea laughed and rubbed at her brow. "I'll need to get used to that."

The Old Capital was beautiful, but it was still abandoned. There was an eerie quiet that was only interrupted by the breeze.

"Okay," Viktor whispered, creeping along on his tiptoes. Thanks to the Pixie keeping the buildings in perfect shape the floor did not creak under his feet. He had left the second floor infirmary and crept down the stairs to the exit door. Dr. Tieling had claimed two floors for her hospital, but the building was still quite large. But it still empty and creepy to him.

David told me where his house was last night. I'm gonna go hide there.

His right arm was still strapped to his chest. It was becoming easier to look down at it, and easier to quell the bitterness that sometimes flared at the edges of his senses. Maybe it was because he was older, but it…wasn't as hard for him as he thought it would be.

But I've always been a swordsman. What the hell else am I going to do with myself when I don't have a sword or an arm?

He shook his head to clear it as he reached the door. He tested the doorknob and the door swung inward. The triumph he felt immediately squashed any negative feelings inside him. He pulled the door open fully and ran outside—

And slammed hard into something. Or rather—someone. He only knew that it was someone when he fell flat on his ass on the cobblestone ground.

"Idiot man. Do you not know how to look where you are going?"

Viktor bristled at the venomous insult and looked up to glare at the person he bumped into. He was startled though to find a beautiful woman standing over him, completely unmoved by the fact that he had bumped into her. Her complexion was milky white and she wore a hooded black cloak over a…rather revealing black dress. Her hair was black, as were her eyes, and she stared down at him with cold contempt, her lips forming a scowl.

"Where is the True Rune wielder?" the woman demanded.